Should we form a 501(c)(3) Friends-of-Parks group to fundraise for a splash pad?

A Friends-of-Parks 501(c)(3) public charity is the standard vehicle for substantial splash pad fundraising. Benefits: clean tax-deductibility for individual and corporate donors; access to foundation grants that don't fund government entities; ability to hold restricted endowment funds for ongoing maintenance; eligibility for community foundation funds, donor-advised fund recommendations, and corporate matching-gift programs; survival across municipal political changes; and ability to fundraise nationally via online platforms. Formation steps: file articles of incorporation with the state (typically $50-$500), obtain an EIN from the IRS, draft bylaws and articles of incorporation, recruit a 5-7 person board, file IRS Form 1023 (full version $600 fee, EZ version $275) for tax-exempt determination — typical processing 3-12 months. Total formation cost: $1,000-$3,000 with attorney help. Faster alternative for a single project: fiscal sponsorship through an existing 501(c)(3) (community foundation, parks foundation, or established nonprofit) — they accept donations and re-grant minus an 8-12% admin fee. Useful while waiting for IRS determination or for one-off projects.